2 syllables: Re, prise. Stress on prise.
rip-REYEZ
/ɹɪˈpɹaɪz/
Reprise is pronounced rip-REYEZ (/ɹɪˈpɹaɪz/). It has two syllables (Re-prise), with the stress on "prise". Reprise is a noun meaning the repetition of a phrase, theme, or action, especially in music or performance, or a return to an earlier idea or passage. It denotes a renewed or revived presentation, often with variations. In contexts like theater or music, a reprise recalls or restates material previously heard, sometimes with development or contrast.
nounReprise is a noun meaning the repetition of a phrase, theme, or action, especially in music or performance, or a return to an earlier idea or passage. It denotes a renewed or revived presentation, often with variations. In contexts like theater or music, a reprise recalls or restates material previously heard, sometimes with development or contrast.
- You often over-emphasize the first syllable, saying RE-prize. To fix: keep /ɪ/ in the first syllable and stress the second syllable: ri-PRISE. - The final /z/ gets swallowed or added a vowel, like “ri-prize-uh.” Practice with a tight final /z/ and stop the air immediately after the /z/. - Some speakers elongate the /ɪ/ or mispronounce /praɪ/ as /priz/; ensure the /aɪ/ is the core of the vowel cluster in the second syllable and that /praɪ/ remains crisp. Practice drills, mouth positioning, and tempo.
How to Pronounce Reprise
"The conductor cued a reprise of the main theme after the intermission."
"She delivered a brisk reprise of her key argument to remind the audience."
"The chorus returned for a reprise of the chorus from the opening number."
Pronounce it as /rɪˈpraɪz/ (US/UK/AU). The stress is on the second syllable: ri-PRISE. Start with a short, relaxed /r/ then a clear /ɪ/ vowel, followed by /ˈpraɪz/ with the diphthong /aɪ/ as in “price.” Mouth position: tip of tongue near the alveolar ridge, lips neutral, final jaw closes with a gentle rise to the /z/ voicing. You’ll want to avoid turning it into ruh-PRISE or RE-prize. IPA reference: US/UK/AU /rɪˈpraɪz/.
Common errors: 1) Stress on the first syllable (re-PRISE). 2) Pronouncing as “re-prize” with /riː/ or /rɪˈpris/ due to mistaken vowel length or final /s/ as /z/. Correction: keep /ɪ/ for the first vowel and ensure the second syllable carries primary stress with /praɪz/. 3) Slurring final consonant into a vowel (re-pri-ze). Correction: finish with a crisp /z/ without adding an extra vowel. Focus on the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable and the voiced alveolar /z/ at the end.
Across US/UK/AU, the core /rɪˈpraɪz/ is consistent, with minor adjustments: US tends to rhotize less in careful speech and maintain /ɹ/; UK often has non-rhotic tendencies in careful speech but still maintains /r/ in the coda cluster if linked; AU mirrors US/UK patterns but may feature subtle vowel qualities: /ɪ/ as a lax short i, and /aɪ/ closer to British realizations in some regions. Overall, the final /z/ remains voiced in all.
Difficulties stem from the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable and the final voiced /z/ after a consonant cluster. Learners often mis-stress by placing the emphasis on the first syllable or replacing /aɪ/ with /iː/ or /eɪ/, and they may glide into a /z/ that sounds like a /s/ or /z/ confusion. Practice with minimal pairs and conscious tracking of the second-syllable vowel and the final voiced fricative.
A unique aspect is the combination of a near-high front vowel /ɪ/ in the first syllable with a strong diphthong /aɪ/ in the second, creating a sharp, two-beat rhythm: ri-PRISE. The word’s origin in reprendre (to take back) also underscores the intentional echoing or return of material, making the pronunciation feel like a short, precise cue for returning themes, with emphasis on the second syllable.
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- US: rhotic, /r/ is pronounced; ensure the /r/ is pronounced before /ɪ/ and keep the second syllable stressed; /aɪ/ often moves slightly toward /aɪə/ in casual speech. - UK: often non-rhotic in careful speech; still maintain /r/ before a vowel due to stress; watch for slightly shorter vowels in fast speech; maintain /ɪ/ and /aɪ/ sharply. - AU: similar to US, but some regional vowels may be dipped or rounded; keep /r/ and final /z/ crisp. IPA references: /rɪˈpraɪz/.
Reprise derives from the French reprendre, meaning to take back or reclaim. It entered English in the early 19th century via musical and theatrical usage, where it described the act of resuming or repeating a theme or passage. The root reprendre itself comes from Latin recuperare (to recover), composed of re- (again) and capere (to take). In English, reprise initially carried musical connotations but soon broadened to refer to restating or echoing any earlier idea or statement. The noun form solidified with a sense of returning to a previously performed section, especially in operas, concerts, and plays. Over time, reprise has maintained its core sense of “return” or “repeat,” while adapting to modern contexts like film and literature where a repeated motif or scene is emphasized for thematic cohesion. First known uses appear in concert tour programs and libretti from the 1800s, aligning with the era’s tradition of thematic reprises in musical and dramatic works.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Reprise" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Reprise"
-ise sounds
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